WATCH: U.S. Coast Guard Air and Sea Crews Rescue Five Boaters 23 Miles Off Florida Coast

coast guard: We encourage all boaters to have a float plan

ABOVE VIDEO: United States Coast Guards rescued five boaters from a 30-foot vessel that suffered reported mechanical issues 23 miles southwest of Marco Island.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – A U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach boat crew and U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew rescued five boaters, Sunday after their 30-foot vessel suffered reported mechanical issues 23 miles southwest of Marco Island.

“U.S. Coast Guard Sector St Petersburg watchstanders were able to rescue the five men quickly and efficiently because they let their loved ones know where they were going, and updated them frequently with their location,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Santiago Gomez, Coast Guard Seventh District public affairs specialist.

“We encourage all boaters to have a float plan and means to communicate during an emergency. In this case, constant communication with someone on land ultimately aided search and rescue personnel, providing a narrower search area, resulting in the missing men being found faster.”